In a sit-down interview on The Blair Garner Show, Maren told Blair about some of the inspiring women in her life—both inside and outside of the country music industry.

“In music, I’ve always looked up to Dolly Parton,” says Maren. “I love women that are kind but unapologetic. And there’s ways to be both of those things, and I think Dolly does it so beautifully. Also, Miranda Lambert has been such a great friend and inspiring person in my life, musically and professionally, just looking at the way she’s conducted her career, very strong-mindedly, but also my favorite moments are when she’s vulnerable in a song, so there’s such a strength and vulnerability I love in women especially.”

When in comes to strong women outside of the industry, Maren says her mom, Kellie Morris, is at the top of her list.

“My mom is pretty awesome,” says Maren. “She grew up really poor in Texas. Her parents were divorced. Her mom was a waitress her entire life. My mom decided that she wanted to become a hairdresser so she put herself through hair school and after a couple of years she opened her own salon, and it’s been in business for over 20 years now. It’s named after my sister and I. I think my work ethic definitely comes from my parents, because I was not, like, silver-spooned. It was a very middle class, working family. I have learned a lot about being a self-starting woman from my mom.”

Maren will release her new album, Girl, on March 8. On March 9, she will kick off her headlining Girl The World Tour with Cassadee Pope and RaeLynn.